Aims. This study aimed to use intraoperative free electromyography to examine how the placement of a retractor at different positions along the anterior acetabular wall may affect the femoral nerve during total hip arthroplasty (THA) when undertaken using the direct anterior approach (THA-DAA). Methods. Intraoperative free electromyography was performed during primary THA-DAA in 82 patients (94 hips). The highest position of the anterior acetabular wall was defined as the “12 o’clock” position (middle position) when the patient was in supine position. After exposure of the acetabulum, a retractor was sequentially placed at the ten, 11, 12, one, and two o’clock positions (right hip; from superior to inferior positions). Action potentials in the femoral nerve were monitored with each placement, and the incidence of positive reactions (defined as explosive, frequent, or continuous action potentials, indicating that the nerve was being compressed) were recorded as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of positive reactions caused by removing the femoral head, and by placing a retractor during femoral exposure; and the incidence of femoral nerve palsy, as detected using manual testing of the strength of the quadriceps muscle. Results. Positive reactions were significantly less frequent when the retractor was placed at the ten (15/94; 16.0%), 11 (12/94; 12.8%), or 12 o’clock positions (19/94; 20.2%), than at the one (37/94; 39.4%) or two o’clock positions (39/94; 41.5%) (p < 0.050). Positive reactions also occurred when the femoral head was removed (28/94; 29.8%), and when a retractor was placed around the proximal femur (34/94; 36.2%) or medial femur (27/94; 28.7%) during femoral exposure. After surgery, no patient had reduced strength in the quadriceps muscle. Conclusion. Placing the anterior acetabular retractor at the one or two o’clock positions (right hip; inferior positions) during THA-DAA can increase the rate of electromyographic signal changes in the femoral nerve. Thus, placing a retractor in these positions may increased the risk of the development of a femoral nerve palsy. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(2):193–199

Introduction: Mobile bearing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been developed to theoretically provide better, more physiological function of the knee and produce less PE wear. The theoretical superiority of mobile bearing TKAs over fixed bearing devices has not yet been proven in clinical studies. The objective of the present study was to prospectively analyze clinical and functional outcomes of randomized fixed and mobile bearing total knee arthroplasty patients by means of gait analysis, electromyography and established clinical scores. Methods: In a prospective, randomized, patient- and observer-blinded, clinical study, 33 patients (mean age 63 years) received a cruciate retaining Genesis II TKA for primary osteoarthritis. 16 patients received a mobile bearing and 17 patients a fixed bearing device. The day before surgery and 24 months postoperatively, established clinical (KSS, HSS, WOMAC, UCLA, VAS) and quality of life (SF-36) scores were used to compare both patient groups. Electromyography of standardized locations was measured with the MyoSystem 2000 and analyzed with Myoresearch software. Gait analysis was performed with a six camera motion analysis system and force platforms. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements between pre- and postoperative evaluation in gait analysis and electromyography, but gait analysis results as well electromyography did not show any difference between both groups at follow-up. Clinical and quality of life results significantly improved from pre- to postoperative evaluation, but only the Knee Society Score showed a significant superiority of the mobile bearing group (mean 159.0; SD 27.7; range, 105–196) over the fixed bearing group (mean 134.4; SD 41; range, 56–198) (p=0.0022). Conclusions: In the present study, no functional advantage of mobile bearing TKA over fixed bearing devices could be found, although the mobile bearing group had better clinical results. Thus, long-term clinical results and in-vivo wear analyses have to be followed, and more subtle functional analyses (e.g. fluoroscopy) have to be employed to finally judge over the theoretical advantage of mobile bearing TKAs

Abstract. Objectives. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedures are physically demanding for surgeons. Repetitive mallet swings to impact a surgical handle (impactions), can lead to muscle fatigue, discomfort and injuries. The use of an automated surgical hammer may reduce fatigue and increase surgical efficiency. The aim of this study was to develop a method to quantify user's performance, by recording surface electromyography (sEMG), for automated and manual impactions. Methods. sEMG signals were recorded from eight muscle compartments (arm and back muscles) of an orthopaedic surgeon during repetitions of manual and automated impaction tasks, replicating femoral canal preparation (broaching) during a THA. Each task was repeated, randomly, four times manually and four times with the automated impaction device. The mechanical outcomes (broaching efficiency and broach advancement) were quantified by tracking the kinematics of the surgical instrumentation. Root mean square (RMS) values and median frequency (MDF) were calculated for each task to, respectively, investigate which muscles were mostly involved (higher RMS) in each task and to quantify the decrease in MDF, which is an indicator of muscle fatigue. Results. RMS for arm muscles was significantly higher (p-value=0.002) during manual impactions than during automated impactions and muscle fatigue was significantly reduced (p-value=0.011), for the same muscles, when the same tasks were performed with the automated surgical hammer. The time required to achieve the same mechanical outcome, in terms of broaching efficiency and broach advancement, was significantly reduced with the automated surgical hammer (p=0.019). Conclusions. Results from this study showed how with this methodology it was possible to discern muscle performance and fatigue, between impaction modalities. Moreover, the reduction in exposure time to automated impactions, could be a factor in muscle fatigue decrease. These results could therefore provide useful insights into the study of surgical ergonomic improvements, to reduce surgeons muscle fatigue and, potentially, injuries. Declaration of Interest. (a) fully declare any financial or other potential conflict of interest

Background:. Little validation has been done to compare the principle of using the contralateral side as compared to and age and gender matched control. This study seeks to assess the validity of using the contralateral shoulder as the control as opposed to an age- gender- matched control. This study will give insight as to whether the contralateral side is a viable control as compared to a normal age and gender matched control. The study showed that the use of the contralateral shoulder was not a viable normal control. Methods:. 50 subjects were recruited for an institutional review board approved study. We studied 33 subjects who were ≥ 6 months post unilateral RSTA and 17 subjects who comprised our normal age- and gender-matched control group. The activity of the contralateral shoulder for each RTSA subject was recorded. All subjects were prompted to elevate their arm to perform abduction, flexion, and external rotation activities in both weighted and un-weighted configurations. Electromyography activation of the anterior, lateral, and posterior aspects of the deltoid and the upper trapezius muscles were recorded bilaterally using bipolar surface electrodes. Motion capture using passive reflective markers was used to quantify three-dimensional motions of both shoulders. Results:. During abduction and flexion, deltoid and upper trapezius activity was significantly increased in RTSA contralateral shoulder as compared to age and gender matched control shoulders (Figure 1, 2, 3). Figure breakdown comprised of the anterior deltoid: Top left, lateral deltoid: top right, posterior deltoid: bottom left, upper trapezius: bottom right. The red line represents the contralateral shoulder for the RTSA subject while the black line represented the age- and gender- matched control. No differences were seen in the anterior and lateral deltoid activity between groups during un-external rotation. Conclusion:. Muscle activation of the deltoid and the upper trapezius muscle is significantly different in the contralateral shoulder of an RTSA than an age and gender matched control subject. The study suffers from the limitation of the muscle pathology for the contralateral shoulder. Some studies have shown that rotator cuff deficiency is a bilateral issue. All subjects were able to perform the functional tasks required and thereby met the requirements to participate in the study. Differences point to the notion that muscle deficiency in the RTSA subjects may be prevalent in both shoulders. It may also point to a slower rate of deficiency for the non-involved shoulder. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the contralateral shoulder was a viable control. Significant differences were found between the RTSA contralateral shoulder and the age- and gender- matched control that show that the RTSA contralateral shoulder is not a viable control

Aims

The sensitivity and specificity of electrodiagnostic parameters in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) have been reported differently, and this study aims to address this gap.

1. Telemetering electromyography has been used to investigate the pattern of activity of certain muscles of the lower limb and back while the subjects walked up and down stairs. 2. During walking up and down stairs each limb has a supporting and swinging phase in each complete step. 3. Walking up stairs revealed the following facts. Firstly, raising the body on to the stair above is brought about by the contraction of the soleus, quadriceps femoris, hamstrings and gluteus maximus; the gluteus medius at the same time prevents the body falling on to the unsupported side. Secondly, the tibialis anterior dorsiflexes the foot during the swinging phase and helps the limb to clear the stair on which the supporting limb is placed. Thirdly, the hamstrings flex the leg at the knee in the early part of the swinging phase and control the terminal part of extension at the knee at the end of this phase. Fourthly, both erectores spinae contract twice in each step and control the forward bending of the body at the vertebral column. 4. Walking down stairs revealed the following. Firstly, the body is lowered on to the stair below by the controlled lengthening of the soleus and quadriceps femoris; the gluteus medius at the same time prevents the body from falling on to the unsupported side. Secondly, the tibialis anterior inverts the foot at the beginning of the supporting phase as the toe is placed on the stair below and dorsiflexes the foot in the middle of the swinging phase. Thirdly, the hamstrings control the extension of the leg at the knee during the middle of the swinging phase. Fourthly, both erectores spinae contract twice in each step and prevent forward bending of the trunk at the vertebral column

The aim of this study was to validate the SENIAM recommendations for surface electromyography placement(sEMG) over rectus femoris(RF) muscle in healthy children and in children with cerebral palsy(CP) during gait analysis and compare placement using these guidelines to using ultrasonography. Methods & Results:. The study included 10 healthy children volunteers and 10 CP children volunteers, aged 8–12. All the CP children had spastic diplegia, were GMFCS levels I–II and had not previously undergone surgery. RF electrodes were placed following SENIAM recommendations. RF was then identified by ultrasound. The distance between the lateral edge of RF and the position of the sEMG electrode as per SENIAM guidelines and the width of RF was measured, to the nearest millimetre. We considered ‘ideal electrode’ position to be at halfway between the edges of RF (i.e. 50%). The mean percentage difference in distance from the ‘ideal electrode’ position as measured by ultrasound to electrode placement following SEMIAN guidelines was 2.7% in the healthy children group compared with 19.5% in the CP group. By performing unpaired t tests we showed that there was no significant difference between the mean electrode position using SEMIAN guidelines and ‘ideal electrode’ position in the healthy children (p=0.0531), however the mean electrode position using SEMIAN guidelines in the CP patients was significantly different from the ‘ideal electrode’ position (p=0.0001). Conclusion:. SENIAM recommendations for sEMG electrode placement over RF muscle were validated in 10 healthy children. We showed that ultrasonography improved the accuracy of sEMG electrode placement in children with CP, who can exhibit anatomical variation due to their condition. Accurate electrode placement will ensure that a more accurate signal is recorded which may have a direct clinical bearing on the decision to proceed with surgical intervention. Level of evidence: II

Purpose: Low frequency peaks (LFP) commonly observed in EMG spectra of paraspinal muscles. These peaks have frequency of 11–15Hz (Median=13, SD=4) and commonly observed in 40% of EMG recordings. We examined the correlation of these peaks with variation in within individuals change in load, between individuals load, gender, age, history of back pain and HW.

Methods and results: Nineteen healthy volunteers were recruited for study of within subject variation in load and data from 106 subjects was examined for the remaining analysis reported here. EMG acquisition was performed using the method described by Oliver et al (Oliver et al., 1996) at a range of load varying from a kilogram to 100% MVC in increments of 10% MVC. The tests were performed in a random order. This method was used for acquisition of data from the second group (n=106) with an exception that only one load fixed at 2/3MVC was used. All parameters including Low frequency peaks and Half Width (HW) was calculated by an automated software developed for this purpose

No correlation between within individual change in load and presence or absence of LFP was found. Only one subject showed a significant correlation between individual change in load with the magnitude of LFPs (r=−0.75, p=0.012). However, when the cumulative data from all 19 subjects was analysed, small correlation between the change in load and magnitude of LFPs (r=−0.17, n=187, p=0.022) was observed, with greater load associated with smaller LFP. No other correlation between gender, individuals load, age and fitness was found.

Conclusion: The appearance of the LFP has been previously described. As yet the underlying cause is not understood, but may be related to a load/feedback loop. The results of this study suggest that load is a factor that may affect LFP and this should be taken into consideration when methods such as HW are used.

Aim: To develop a database of the force generated by brachioradialis muscle (BR) using IEMG.

Methods: The 32 BR muscles of 12 young male and four young female adults were studied using the MedTronic functional diagnostics key point EMG machine. Two self adhesive surface electrodes were placed 3mm apart over the BR belly and a third earth electrode over the radial styloid process. The subject’s arm was at the side of the trunk, the elbow flexed to 90 degrees and the forearm strapped in neutral rotation. Recordings were taken over a five-second voluntary maximum isometric elbow flexion and the force of the contraction measured from the rectified and integrated tracing (mv.ms). Four recordings were taken for each arm; wrist in neutral and at maximum passive flexion, with a two-minute rest between recordings. Recordings were repeated after minimum of 24 hours later.

Results: There was large inter-subject variability with a range of values recorded between 14 685 and 278 533 mv.ms with an average of 99 472 for the wrist in neutral and 93 038 with the wrist flexed in males and 53 292 and 57 224 respectively for females. However, intra-subject variability was low (co-efficient of variation, CV 8 to 11%) and good repeatability (CV 6 to13%). There was no significant statistical difference with the wrist either in neutral or fully flexed.

Conclusions: BR is the key muscle for hand reconstruction in tetraplegia but it has not been possible until now to test its force objectively in isolation from other elbow flexors. Although the results from the study demonstrated a wide range of values for the BR muscle the consistent repeatability probably reflected different involvement of the BR muscle in elbow flexion. If verified, it would indicate that tetraplegics who have low IEMG values should benefit from specific strengthening exercises prior to transfer surgery.

We present the use of dynamic electromyographic analysis (DEMG) in the diagnosis of muscle patterning instability. DEMG’s were requested in 168 of 562 muscle patterning shoulders with suspected subclinical or clinically complex muscle patterning instability. An experienced neurophysiologist (blinded to the clinical findings and direction of instability) inserted dual-wire tungsten electrodes into pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, infraspinatus and anterior deltoid. Muscle activity was recorded during rest, flexion, abduction, extension, and cross-body adduction. 5 investigations were abandoned. The timing and magnitude of muscle activity was noted and compared to the clinical diagnosis and direction of instability. DEMG identified a total of 204 abnormal muscle patterns in 163 shoulders. The examination was normal in 13 patients (8%). A single muscle was abnormal in 63 shoulders, 2 muscles in 55, 3 muscles in 9, and all 4 muscles in one shoulder. Over-activation of pectoralis major was identified in 58%, and latissimus dorsi in 70%, of shoulders with anterior instability. In posterior instability, latissimus dorsi was overactive in 76%, anterior deltoid in 14% and infraspinatus was under-active in 24%. Pectoralis major and Latissimus dorsi were both overactive in 38% of anterior, 29% of posterior and 38% of multidirectional instability. Abnormal muscle patterns were identified in 52 shoulders with subclinical muscle patterning. A further 98 shoulders had 134 clinically abnormal muscle patterns. These were confirmed by DEMG in 57 cases (sensitivity 43%), and DEMG’s were normal in 77 (specificity 43%). DEMG also identified 65 additional muscles as abnormal in the 98 clinically abnormal shoulders. DEMG performed by an experienced neurophysiologist provides additional information regarding abnormal muscle activation in selected complex or subtle cases of muscle patterning instability in which clinical examination has a low sensitivity and specificity.

The shoulder girdle is an extremely mobile joint. Rotator cuff tears alter the existing equilibrium between bony structures and muscles. The “subacromial impingement syndrome” resulting from this unbalance leads to an extension of the rotator cuff lesion.

Many authors have postulated a “mechanism of compensation”, but its existence still requires evidence. According to this model, the longitudinal muscles of the shoulder and the undamaged muscles of the rotator cuff would be able to functionally compensate, supersede the function of rotator cuff, and reduce symptoms.

The aim of this study was to evaluate muscular activation of the medium fibers of deltoid, the superior fibers of pectoralis major, the latissimus dorsi and the infraspinatus by a superficial electromyographic study (EMG) and the analysis of kinematics in patients with a massive rotator cuff tear.

We evaluated 30 subjects: 15 had pauci-symptomatic massive rotator cuff tear (modest pain and preserved movement), and 15 were healthy controls.

Paired t-test showed significant different activations (p< 0.05) of these 4 muscles between the pathological joint and the healthy one in the same patient.

The unpaired t-test, after comparing the mean EMG values of the 4 muscles, produced a significant difference (p< 0.05) between the experimental group and control group.

This study showed that a mechanism of muscular compensation is activated in patients suffering from rotator cuff tear, involving the deltoid and the infra-spinatus muscle, as already presented in literature, but also demonstrated the activation of 2 other muscles: the latissimus dorsi and the pectoralis major. It is, therefore, probable that, in these patients, these muscles, which would not normally pull the head of the humerus downwards, adapt in order to compensate for the pathological situation. We believe that these data are valuable in the surgical and rehabilitation planning in patients with a massive rotator cuff tear.

1. The deep posterior muscles of the neck are innervated by the posterior branches of spinal nerves, which branch off immediately after the root emerges from the intervertebral foramen. Electromyographic examination of these muscles permits a differential diagnosis to be made between intraforaminal and extraforaminal brachial plexus lesions.

2. The earlier diagnosis and prognosis thus achieved permit definitive treatment, in particular suture of the torn nerve trunks in recent extraforaminal cases.

Poor trunk extensor endurance is implicated in low back pain; less, however, is known about contributions of left and right sides and upper and lower parts to maximum torque production following fatigue. This study examines torque and electromyographic (EMG) activity in different parts of the left and right trunk extensors before and following a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) hold.

16 student rowers participated and written informed consent was obtained. Testing was performed in a Cybex isokinetic dynamometer with synchronous bilateral EMG recordings (during brief MVCs) from the left and right the erector spinae (ES) muscles at vertebral levels T12 and L4, prior to and immediately after, and 1, 5 and 10 minutes after a 60 second MVC.

A small decrease in maximum torque was observed during 60s MVC, followed by a non significant step-wise increase. The torque at 10 minutes post MVC was the highest value recorded. EMG activity rose in the right upper back 5 and 10 mins following the fatigue. Furthermore, the ratios of left:right EMG activity revealed an increase compared to pre-fatigue values in the lower back but a decrease in the upper back, suggesting the task involved differential use of left and right sides in addition to upper and lower back muscles.

These results suggest that 60s MVC induces differential activation of left and right sides and upper and lower parts of the trunk extensors. The apparent potentiation in force and asymmetry of activation following the 60s MVC task requires further investigation.

Few surgical techniques to reconstruct the abductor mechanism of the hip have been reported, with outcomes reported only from case reports and small case series from the centres that described the techniques. As in many of our revision THA patients the gluteus maximus was affected by previous repeat posterior approaches, we opted to reconstruct the abductor mechanism using a vastus lateralis to gluteus medius transfer. We report the results of such reconstructions in seven patients, mean age 66 (range, 53–77), five females, presenting with severe abductor deficiency (MRC grade 1–2). Five patients had previous revision THA, two with a proximal femoral replacement, one patient had a primary THA after a failed malunited trochanteric fracture, and one patient had a native hip with idiopathic fatty infiltration of glutei of >90%. All patients had instrumented gait analysis, and surface electromyography (EMG) of the glutei, TFL, and vastus muscles simultaneously before surgery and at each post-op follow-up. Postoperatively, patients were allowed to weight bear as tolerated and were requested to wear an abduction brace for the first six weeks after surgery to protect the transfer. All patients improved after surgery and reached an abductor power of 3 or more. All patients walked without support six months after surgery and were satisfied with the result. Abductor function continued to improve beyond one year of follow-up, and some patients reached an abductor power of 5. EMG demonstrated that the transferred vastus lateralis started firing synchronously with gluteus medius after three months post-surgery, suggesting adaptation to its new function. No knee extension weakness was recorded. One patient complained of lateral thigh numbness and was dissatisfied with the cosmetic look of her thigh after surgery. Our preliminary results are encouraging and comparable with those achieved by the originators of the technique

Mechanical loading of joints with osteoarthritis (OA) results in pain-related functional impairment, altered joint mechanics and physiological nociceptor interactions leading to an experience of pain. However, the current tools to measure this are largely patient reported subjective impressions of a nociceptive impact. A direct measure of nociception may offer a more objective indicator. Specifically, movement-induced physiological responses to nociception may offer a useful way to monitor knee OA. In this study, we gathered preliminary data on healthy volunteers to analyse whether integrated biomechanical and physiological sensor datasets could display linked and quantifiable information to a nociceptive stimulus. Following ethical approval, 15 healthy volunteers completed 5 movement and stationary activities in 2 conditions; a control setting and then repeated with an applied quantified thermal pain stimulus to their right knee. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an electromyography (EMG) lower body marker set were tested and integrated with ground reaction force (GRF) data collection. Galvanic skin response electrodes for skin temperature and conductivity and photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors were manually timestamped to the integrated system. Pilot data showed EMG, GRF and IMU fluctuations within 0.5 seconds of each other in response to a thermal trigger. Preliminary analysis on the 15 participants tested has shown skin conductance, PPG, EMG, GRFs, joint angles and kinematics with varying increases and fluctuations during the thermal condition in comparison to the control condition. Preliminary results suggest physiological and biomechanical data outputs can be linked and identified in response to a defined nociceptive stimulus. Study data is currently founded on healthy volunteers as a proof-of-concept. Further exploratory statistical and sensor readout pattern analysis, alongside early and late-stage OA patient data collection, can provide the information for potential development of wearable nociceptive sensors to measure disease progression and treatment effectiveness

Abstract. Source of Study: London, United Kingdom. This intervention study was conducted to assess two developing protocols for quadriceps and hamstring rehabilitation: Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training (NMES). BFR involves the application of an external compression cuff to the proximal thigh. In NMES training a portable electrical stimulation unit is connected to the limb via 4 electrodes. In both training modalities, following device application, a standardised set of exercises were performed by all participants. BFR and NMES have been developed to assist with rehabilitation following lower limb trauma and surgery. They offer an alternative for individuals who are unable to tolerate the high mechanical stresses associated with traditional rehabilitation programmes. The use of BFR and NMES in this study was compared across a total of 20 participants. Following allocation into one of the training programmes, the individuals completed training programmes across a 4-week period. Post-intervention outcomes were assessed using Surface Electromyography (EMG) which recorded EMG amplitude values for the following muscles: Vastus Medialis, Vastus Lateralis, Rectus Femoris and Semitendinosus. Increased Semitendinosus muscle activation was observed post intervention in both BFR and NMES training groups. Statistically significant differences between the two groups was not identified. Larger scale randomised-controlled trials are recommended to further assess for possible treatment effects in these promising training modalities

We investigated the predictive value of intra-operative neurophysiological investigations in obstetric brachial plexus injuries. Between January 2005 and June 2011 a total of 32 infants of 206 referred to our unit underwent exploration of the plexus, including neurolysis. The findings from intra-operative electromyography, sensory evoked potentials across the lesion and gross muscular response to stimulation were evaluated. A total of 22 infants underwent neurolysis alone and ten had microsurgical reconstruction. Of the former, one was lost to follow-up, one had glenoplasty and three had subsequent nerve reconstructions. Of the remaining 17 infants with neurolysis, 13 (76%) achieved a modified Mallet score > 13 at a mean age of 3.5 years (0.75 to 6.25). Subluxation or dislocation of the shoulder is a major confounding factor. The positive predictive value and sensitivity of the intra-operative EMG for C5 were 100% and 85.7%, respectively, in infants without concurrent shoulder pathology. The positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity and specificity of the three investigations combined were 77%, 100%, 100% and 57%, respectively. In all, 20 infants underwent neurolysis alone for C6 and three had reconstruction. All of the former and one of the latter achieved biceps function of Raimondi grade 5. The positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity and specificity of electromyography for C6 were 65%, 71%, 87% and 42%, respectively. Our method is effective in evaluating the prognosis of C5 lesion. Neurolysis is preferred for C6 lesions. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:699–705